Day Go Dogs among new businesses in Arlington Hts.
A new Italian restaurant - Day Go Dogs and 'Za - is expected to open by the end of the year in the former Riviera location at 5 W. Campbell St. in downtown Arlington Heights.
Owner Richie Vaia is opening Day Go Dogs after his Algonquin location closed due to broken partnership, but he said the new spot will have the same fast-casual food for good prices.
The menu is styled after Gene & Judes, a hot-dog legend in River Grove, and includes hot dogs, fresh cut fries, Italian beef and sausage. Vaia said he will also offer traditional pizza and "out-of-the-box" pizza options such as mashed potato pizza, chicken fajita pizza and more. By next spring Vaia said he hopes to start a catering business from the restaurant.
"I'm very excited to come to Arlington Heights," said Vaia who lives in Rosemont. "I've always loved this area. They need a good fast-food hot dog here."
The downtown spot was home to the Riviera Restaurant for more than 30 years, but has seen turnover recently after housing another hot dog restaurant and a coffee shop.
While the name - Day Go Dogs - sounds dangerously close to a certain Italian slur, Vaia said he wants to embrace his culture, not offend anyone.
"I'm Italian. I love the name; it's catchy," Vaia said. He said he has never had a complaint about the name of his restaurant.
Employees will further embrace the heritage by wearing black T-shirts that have a white sleeveless shirt and a gold chain screen printed on them, along with the phrase "How you doin,'" made popular by fictional Italian Joey Tribbiani on the TV show "Friends."
"I'm Italian. It's my roots, I can't change that," Vaia said.
Vaia purchased the spot and is overhauling the inside, which was most recently a coffee shop. When it opens, the decor will pay tribute to famous Italians through the years, Vaia said.
Day Go Dogs is one of several new businesses opening in downtown Arlington Heights, said Michael Mertes, business development coordinator for the village.
Obsession, 16 S. Dunton Ave., is a boutique selling handmade artwork, jewelry and clothing that recently opened, Mertes said. Another new women's fashion boutique called Charisma, 5 E. Campbell St., recently opened. Mimzi Art and Frame, 13 W. Davis St., will sell art and do custom framing, he said. Also new is Pure Salon, 3 W. Davis St., which is a full-service hair salon that also styles for weddings and special occasions.
Outside of the downtown, two new coffee spots - Starbucks at 1808 S. Arlington Heights Road, and Peet's Coffee and Tea, 1017 W. Dundee Road - recently opened.
"We have a lot of good stuff opening right in time for the holidays," Mertes said.